A search in waters off the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu is continuing for more than 30 people who are missing after a passenger ferry sank.

The ferry MV Matui was travelling between the islands of Ambae and Santo with 47 people on board when it sank on Friday, local news outlets reported.

Searchers in boats pulled 15 survivors from the water over the weekend, a statement on Sunday from Prime Minister Jotham ‌Napat's office said in a statement posted on Facebook.

One body was also recovered, according to the statement, while more than 30 people were still missing. The search would now focus on a coastline where currents might have carried survivors, rather than on open waters.

"This loss appears to be the result of strong winds and marine warnings not being heeded, and possibly of negligence including overloading of the vessel," the statement said.

The country's meteorological service issued a marine warning for strong winds and high seas on the day the ferry sailed.

Vanuatu is an archipelago of 83 islands in the South Pacific Ocean, located about 1750km east of northern Australia.

Australian Associated Press